The least we can do is wave to each other on Vinyl

The least we can do is wave to each other by Van der Graaf Generator.  

An amazing copy of this great 1969 album from 4 Men with Beards pressed on 180gm vinyl.  The album was originally released on 1970 and was VDGG second album.  Recorded at Trident Studios London between 11-14 December on 8-track and produced by John Anthony and engineered by Rob Cable.  After the Flood was one of the first tracks to be recorded on Trident Studios state of the art 16-track.  A great sounding album (as all Trident Studios productions were) with an immense clarity of sound and solid drum feel.  This remastered version from the original masters is warm, clear and has great stereo separation.  

The least we can do is wave to each other - front cover

A great front cover depicting the group floating on the sea (no doubt referring to the final track-After the Flood).  The albums title was taken from artist John Minton: "We're all awash in a sea of blood, and the least we can do is wave to each other".

This album contains three of the bands classic songs, and all on side 1: Darkness, refugees and White Hammer.  My favourite VDGG track still today is Refugees.  Refugees starts with a flute played by David Jackson, and wonderful Cello (written by Hugh) piece played by Mike Hurwitz.   Nic Potter's bass kicks in followed by some classic Guy Evans drumming and Hugh Banton Hammond Organ.  This great 4 men with beards vinyl release outshines the latest CD remaster in its warmth and the clarity of Peter Hammill's vocals.

The least we can do is wave to each other inside sleeve

When you look back at this time in music.  Progressive Rock (as it was later dubbed) was really emerging and from London with Yes at Advision, VDGG at Trident and of course Genesis also at Trident.  It was a great period for music which still reigns supreme today.  Dark, warm and very British, Prog Rock from middle class kids.    VDGG would go on to release H to He Who am the Only One the following year but remained fairly underground and not reaching the the dizzy heights of Genesis and Yes.  VDGG remain a cult but very loyal following today.  This recording cements how brilliant this band were, and remain so to this day.

Thanks to "4 Men with Beards" see http://blogs.sfweekly.com/shookdown/2012/03/four_men_with_beards_label_sam.php for releasing these great albums on quality vinyl.

Living with the NOKIA Lumia 920

So I've had the 920 now for three weeks. An amazing device with a great camera and great fun to use. The Windows 8 Mobile is amazingly fast and intuitive to use. I bought this on EE contract yet where I live has no 4G. However when in Bristol or London the 4G kicks in and is simply the best mobile experience I have ever had. Super fast downloads and youtube streaming. Not quite the zero lag i was told I'd experience but nonetheless, very fast. I have tethered my laptop to the phone wirelessly and it works like a dream often beating the speed of an hotels free broadband. Using the camera especially in cinematographic mode is awesome. Superb clear shots which are vibrant and clear. Downloading the add in lenses i am able to get a cinematographic mode lens which animates parts of a still photo. And a great panoramic lens. the Nokias Macro mode is equally excellent producing high detailed shots and narrow depth of field. Although a great phone i do have some major gripes which will hopefully go away once new apps are released. There is no Instagram and loading music by itunes simply fails to work. The format is incompatible! For most other apps i have managed to get alternatives ir the apps themselves such as YouTube. Email is a sinch but an all mailboxes option would help. So all in all a great device which could be even better with the release of the missing apps. Oh and btw, the edit text ibar doesn't work its too quirky! And as for the spell checker its er not quite there yet.